tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71272340029670220592024-03-19T05:33:52.844-04:00Outside Looking In...Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-1736723523889883742016-07-07T07:54:00.002-04:002016-07-07T07:54:34.950-04:00
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dearest Kayla, </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another year has flown by and it’s once again time for me to
reflect on how much you’ve grown and changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My little 7 pound bundle is turning 7… on 7/7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems to me that 7 is your lucky number!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year you took your first shot at interior design,
helping us redecorate your new bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You chose the perfect shade of pink for your walls, then promptly
decided you didn’t like pink any more after I painted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little turd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You got new carpet and furniture and a closet that will hopefully hold
everything you need as you grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so
happy that you finally have a nice space to call your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’re now on summer break from school, having flown through
first grade in amazing fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You made
your daddy and I both ridiculously proud by blowing away the previous points
record in the school’s “Reading Counts” program – by more than double!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a voracious reader, just like Mommy
and Nana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to stay up and read
after we put you to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still say
that you love math and now science too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your favorite special is gym, then library… but music is your least
favorite right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Around the end of school, you took part in the Warwick Youth
Field Hockey camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are an absolute
natural with a field hockey stick in your hands; quick and careful with your
ball handling, and it seemed to hold your attention much better than
soccer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We very much enjoyed watching
you play and hope that your love of the sport only continues to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This summer you are back at St. Paul’s part time, spending
time with old friends and making new ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have other kiddos over to swim in the pool almost every weekend; it’s
been wonderful to have someone with the same energy level as you around at
least some of the time. Besides swimming, you still love to play games, color,
and play with the dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite
shows right now are Cutthroat Kitchen and Good Eats – we even went to see Alton
Brown live this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have had three pet hermit crabs this year, two of which
we have sadly had to say goodbye to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though Snappy (aka Scuttle, aka Buddy) took one opportunity to
latch onto your hand, I know you love the little critters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s fun to watch you nurture something
mostly on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last summer we went to the beach, where you discovered your
new most favorite activity – mini golf!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In May, we went to Washington DC together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw the monuments, White House and the
capitol – but the Museum of Natural History was by far your favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We braved a drizzly day at the zoo to catch a
close-up glimpse of Bao Bao, the baby panda, in a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year we will celebrate with a Zootopia themed birthday
party for you and your friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
you’re excited to have everyone in the pool with you, and I am excited for you
to have a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although entertaining you is sometimes challenging, I still
get my share of snuggles – my favorite thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing makes me happier than a hug or an elusive kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re still as sweet and sensitive and
caring as ever darling girl, and I love to see you holding on to so many of
these qualities as you grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">More than anything, little angel, I want you to know how
proud of you that your daddy and I are and that we love you more than we could
have imagined loving anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the
light and joy in our lives and we cherish every moment of watching you
grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy birthday, Kayla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love always,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mommy and Daddy</span></div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-7351562905805181772015-07-07T09:24:00.000-04:002015-07-07T09:25:35.198-04:00Happy 6th Birthday Kayla!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYAZx3w5cUfUTGj0TB50tdCbnjndIBiJPq4ylQ3vOLqk16fFzT1RMSgEYQ_z56eAIyywNcH9bAs_L9ykHJFkuWIty4QZY5pk6462G4Up5Vc_5lx_75L8nGKTFRGUEh3FutaWSOvopmwI/s1600/Kayla.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYAZx3w5cUfUTGj0TB50tdCbnjndIBiJPq4ylQ3vOLqk16fFzT1RMSgEYQ_z56eAIyywNcH9bAs_L9ykHJFkuWIty4QZY5pk6462G4Up5Vc_5lx_75L8nGKTFRGUEh3FutaWSOvopmwI/s320/Kayla.JPG" /></a></div>
Dearest Kayla,<br />
<br />
Here we are yet again, another birthday. You were so excited, counting down the days you had left as a 5 (or 5 and 3/4 as you liked to say) year old but hesitant at the same time. Last night in the tub, you told me that you want to be 6 forever, that you never want to grow up. Oh little one, if you had any idea how we wish the same thing. It's so hard to believe that the teeny little 7 pound bundle that we brought home from the hospital is now preparing for First Grade. I snapped the picture of you in the car a few weeks ago, and it brought a tear to my eye to see that you are all little girl now - there are no traces of the baby that you once were.<br />
<br />
Speaking of school, Kindergarten was this year's biggest adventure and you loved it. Your teacher (Mrs. Hart) was a very special lady and it was wonderful to see you flourish under her guidance. You are now writing clearly, and reading independently. You still tell me that Math is your favorite thing; you love to count, add, subtract and multiply. Next year you and our neighbor Allie will be in the same class with Mrs. Morell, and I know you're going to do great.<br />
<br />
You still love to play outside more than almost anything, and the swimming pool is probably your favorite thing ever. The spring soccer season as a member of the Pink Pandas was a lot of fun. You had your first camp out last month, sleeping in a tent in Pepere and Grammy Sue's back yard. Playing games is very close to your favorite; this year found you learning checkers and chess. Every time I pick you up from Nana's house, you're deep into a game of checkers, or Pigeon or SkipBo. Aunt Paula came home to visit over Memorial Day weekend, and I loved watching you two play chess together. You are so smart, and you are able to reason and think things through in a way that I never imagined that you would be able to at this age. When you can't find a partner to play with (by which I mean we get tired of you beating the daylights out of us), you do an excellent job of beating the iPad at checkers.<br />
<br />
I love what a sweet little snuggle bug you still are. Curling up on the couch with you after a long day is my favorite thing. When I'm upset or stressed out, you always offer hugs; your empathy is simply astounding. We love spending time in the kitchen together - you're an excellent helper!<br />
<br />
I am so looking forward to celebrating you on Friday with a trip to the nail salon and to see the Minion Movie, having a party with our family on Saturday and your friends on Sunday. You're growing up so fast little one, and we couldn't be prouder of the young lady you are becoming.<br />
<br />
Love always,<br />
<br />
Mommy and Daddy Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-30005890138967506732014-12-31T23:42:00.001-05:002014-12-31T23:42:08.743-05:00So Long 2014...With mere hours left in 2014, I finally sat down to write our year in review post... only to realize that I have almost no photos from January or February. Thankfully Facebook bailed me out of this one. SO, here we are at last - the Gockley Family 2014.<br />
<br />
In January we attend parents' night for the Warwick class of 2027. Then realizing how close school really was, we booked a vacation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1017151_10201799838332384_1706996360_n.jpg?oh=55044a6da4c40ad41556347f6aa6e735&oe=553CF04D&__gda__=1429337234_bf11e73cc7f9fab303aa7927453ca239" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1017151_10201799838332384_1706996360_n.jpg?oh=55044a6da4c40ad41556347f6aa6e735&oe=553CF04D&__gda__=1429337234_bf11e73cc7f9fab303aa7927453ca239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left">
This made us impatient in February as we counted down the days. We booked our trip about 6 weeks in advance; I can't imagine how families who book a year plus ahead do it. So to kill time, we did things like date night:</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1016407_10201898820526877_249437534_n.jpg?oh=63e961d1405e846d4a895d5a6b75e367&oe=5536B646" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1016407_10201898820526877_249437534_n.jpg?oh=63e961d1405e846d4a895d5a6b75e367&oe=5536B646" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />Even as the remnants of a stomach virus went through the family, we weren't going to be stopped. Nearly 17 hours and 1,000 miles of driving later, we had the best week ever. Then when we got home, mommy got her first new car EVER! I am 7,500 miles in and still loving my Subaru. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1901782_10202051403381353_1717446441_n.jpg?oh=a4e45f93a18a3238ece78b65b1c2cdae&oe=54FB4608&__gda__=1428719570_4d7c95a983c72849b0f75e095e411b86" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1901782_10202051403381353_1717446441_n.jpg?oh=a4e45f93a18a3238ece78b65b1c2cdae&oe=54FB4608&__gda__=1428719570_4d7c95a983c72849b0f75e095e411b86" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we got back, there were many things to do. April brought us egg hunts (at one of which Kayla won a new bike), a visit from the Easter Bunny, and the Crazy Days of April at daycare; both crazy hair day and mismatch day were big hits:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10253821_10202371516903991_168563457818224460_n.jpg?oh=502339682fb59b69e60c689e81cd242c&oe=55357757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10253821_10202371516903991_168563457818224460_n.jpg?oh=502339682fb59b69e60c689e81cd242c&oe=55357757" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
May brought warmer weather, Derby Day, our annual trip to Dewey Beach, and the start of more big things. We start renovating Kayla's bathroom a little earlier than expected, and Mommy interviewed for and was offered a new job. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlChKbHUF6NiR9G9uBAhD1N2DlEaH_t_jnP47cY2vqSkYcuN8NB7vPH3YpTdPUDBmQJDE0kOvTHke4o1ujKriEY8VToqpRIcpej4TljQ_IUgCNFZZhv4GfXxvfAzwXhQWcLmd2DLjn1c/s1600/DSC_8972.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started my new job in June. This was a big adjustment as my commute time increased a lot, but we got through. Not a lot else happened in June, but July is always a big month for us. Our little Monkey Butt turned 5 years old in Ocean City. We have a party for her at our newly painted (finally!) house. We go to Avalon, and I cut a ridiculous number of inches of hair off. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10382580_10202801509613540_4917149142062862324_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10382580_10202801509613540_4917149142062862324_o.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In August, Aunt Paula turned the big three-oh. Even though she couldn't be home to celebrate, we wished her well in this big year. Kayla goes bowling for the first time at her friend Laykin's party, and we count down the days...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVFBgtNyXdc-5CzxptvtKGV_VT23EtPjVanb6Jx3SigJqbHLqQXxBln66WdexlaA8KY5C8ve6UbwpJ-t15pFYNUj6wa1aiLWp8PYP4vDSR_mpCNp7bhlBProCAWMZABtKjNcmQq8pprA/s1600/DSC_8886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVFBgtNyXdc-5CzxptvtKGV_VT23EtPjVanb6Jx3SigJqbHLqQXxBln66WdexlaA8KY5C8ve6UbwpJ-t15pFYNUj6wa1aiLWp8PYP4vDSR_mpCNp7bhlBProCAWMZABtKjNcmQq8pprA/s1600/DSC_8886.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then September arrives. With a mix of pride and sadness, I watch my baby girl walk through the doors of her new elementary school for the first time. She also starts soccer this month. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcPy9pzhwYIamtNngnWHM-ymof8FLf9yfdaStbXMlx2JzrM0iVuOmCxOJCoJa-pigru4MYokZQdhUMOzbRFL4At1gwE-M1c14oYumWSqKieUeArMWj-AOpLyVBE9EKjgrgwOkwnMRR1c/s1600/DSC_8937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcPy9pzhwYIamtNngnWHM-ymof8FLf9yfdaStbXMlx2JzrM0iVuOmCxOJCoJa-pigru4MYokZQdhUMOzbRFL4At1gwE-M1c14oYumWSqKieUeArMWj-AOpLyVBE9EKjgrgwOkwnMRR1c/s1600/DSC_8937.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
October brought us another wave of Frozen Frenzy as we go to Frozen on Ice and take our little Elsa Trick-Or-Treating. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EtC8w4K1W8mwQ0E2boCI2aMtisFOHZ-2UoBXgi8ThsY3yGoA9qqpwwFeg6whHk0hrapDapgY2dY5CBSr2qATwqo7VBNyXE3ke7xbtBn0Q62FpP4Nd4nyHjUmmBwQgh31ZTmbUmIA99k/s1600/DSC_9012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EtC8w4K1W8mwQ0E2boCI2aMtisFOHZ-2UoBXgi8ThsY3yGoA9qqpwwFeg6whHk0hrapDapgY2dY5CBSr2qATwqo7VBNyXE3ke7xbtBn0Q62FpP4Nd4nyHjUmmBwQgh31ZTmbUmIA99k/s1600/DSC_9012.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In November, we take a trip to Philly, Kayla learns about the democratic process, finishes up her soccer season, and we host our first two Thanksgiving meals in our new house, one with friends and another with family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FuI1Pbb_aSSs7EYnVMaNJnW9HhlxTX-QUckXXa9AJRn3_THEhaZ2KMcKwrCCjQzzwr0AmNvhACR3ZzNScFcsL-3MSltqJQLP238EEJ7hY1oDKcYAEWjuqG6Hdxoc1Dk5VRFupkH074U/s1600/PRpic2_1415116451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FuI1Pbb_aSSs7EYnVMaNJnW9HhlxTX-QUckXXa9AJRn3_THEhaZ2KMcKwrCCjQzzwr0AmNvhACR3ZzNScFcsL-3MSltqJQLP238EEJ7hY1oDKcYAEWjuqG6Hdxoc1Dk5VRFupkH074U/s1600/PRpic2_1415116451.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally in December, we celebrate our favorite season, and Kayla loses her first tooth. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHjgdYOsxO9N2F-hwYRFSh9RaW9JoyI6A2QJGH7FFB17wAoi7QsHoGMvZpcGBmaHrtd8JV_2e-UXXlP7_cbsCAtJ87IEv6l5fqWo2_eX3QTRJBwn3E2t5pcyK6fmpWOiOrjIIFmv3wRM/s1600/DSC_9457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHjgdYOsxO9N2F-hwYRFSh9RaW9JoyI6A2QJGH7FFB17wAoi7QsHoGMvZpcGBmaHrtd8JV_2e-UXXlP7_cbsCAtJ87IEv6l5fqWo2_eX3QTRJBwn3E2t5pcyK6fmpWOiOrjIIFmv3wRM/s1600/DSC_9457.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although this year also brought us some bad news and hard times, we are fortunate that the people we hold most dear to us are in good health and so are we. As always, we have everything we need and a lot of what we want. This year has been kind to us, and we are very much looking forward to what 2015 has in store. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-4200383208383733572014-08-20T21:02:00.004-04:002014-08-20T21:02:25.881-04:00Third Project - The BIG ONELooking back at the dates on photos, it's hard to believe that we started this project a little over a year ago now. When we moved into our house, the basement was already finished, which actually gave us a sizable leg up on this project. It also presented some unexpected challenges. <br />
<br />
When you come down the basement stairs, there was a workout room and salon (the previous owner was a hair salon owner) to your right, and a powder room and larger room to the left. We turned the larger room into our office, but left the other rooms empty, knowing their future was as the home bar we've always wanted. <br />
<br />
So the before:<br />
<br />
The salon:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCb2ZNwgR2gwCOuOb9IDBNOLO-L7atwcFnx25qSp_ANZLgr3cHaLcPUHt-B-9Hro7OdjnGoVScJGllou0xtmxq4t4H1rUHEqPk9l3snpL6JQB96dr6UyifOWCdhOWhdYiucPWMo3EqEo/s1600/DSC_5990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCb2ZNwgR2gwCOuOb9IDBNOLO-L7atwcFnx25qSp_ANZLgr3cHaLcPUHt-B-9Hro7OdjnGoVScJGllou0xtmxq4t4H1rUHEqPk9l3snpL6JQB96dr6UyifOWCdhOWhdYiucPWMo3EqEo/s1600/DSC_5990.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvRXXHuLoiFYFzLI3erV4OhPodJSIGnHCvmWSGP9GffrCShbDA1jMjifSEPdQQ6zSnAyv8ryzyOpL6re4dRBSZteLe-tDWpjrIPd21QfUwoSYivozs2FMKbE02S9VwIl991TGWJDIolc/s1600/DSC_6000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvRXXHuLoiFYFzLI3erV4OhPodJSIGnHCvmWSGP9GffrCShbDA1jMjifSEPdQQ6zSnAyv8ryzyOpL6re4dRBSZteLe-tDWpjrIPd21QfUwoSYivozs2FMKbE02S9VwIl991TGWJDIolc/s1600/DSC_6000.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
The "gym":<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO4LCjGX6JgQDTJ4Vd6zQz3pULbsxvU7gqjNb8oAlDqj4Tpj4YeEWpWQSrcXpAUuppEuVzzhfbtCgQRMBCu52Ieagc_B6b0zU6c0URArHg15rnZLiIps4UOCbSQlceV_yXcGWCL9JXf0/s1600/DSC_5996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO4LCjGX6JgQDTJ4Vd6zQz3pULbsxvU7gqjNb8oAlDqj4Tpj4YeEWpWQSrcXpAUuppEuVzzhfbtCgQRMBCu52Ieagc_B6b0zU6c0URArHg15rnZLiIps4UOCbSQlceV_yXcGWCL9JXf0/s1600/DSC_5996.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRwusbK8miJls5lapsCoReJxxnYj5otLnxn00e6KaZQ4chJnuvbA6q2rlmkeMgCHcO8rDDJOz0G75eR2IVFE0EsdpHkGFYnGQk8Olprwrk8py9pkkQ1wm61Dj0p9HfeAHa-g3CkA-Bpc/s1600/DSC_5999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRwusbK8miJls5lapsCoReJxxnYj5otLnxn00e6KaZQ4chJnuvbA6q2rlmkeMgCHcO8rDDJOz0G75eR2IVFE0EsdpHkGFYnGQk8Olprwrk8py9pkkQ1wm61Dj0p9HfeAHa-g3CkA-Bpc/s1600/DSC_5999.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And the Powder Room:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnJcqPhgo0jjETPAdn4iE5OBTdeO-0_dNI7qNZbq5WuZc78f6et4e3ejfRjedHt8YHadgzSifMEdGlOcFFODkiBgCzt5VumpeI-tNmFhZ6kf8RFGMQAqVlqurPxUzxdsaOKO8J-QjT3o/s1600/DSC_6002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnJcqPhgo0jjETPAdn4iE5OBTdeO-0_dNI7qNZbq5WuZc78f6et4e3ejfRjedHt8YHadgzSifMEdGlOcFFODkiBgCzt5VumpeI-tNmFhZ6kf8RFGMQAqVlqurPxUzxdsaOKO8J-QjT3o/s1600/DSC_6002.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh18VPKpeahqxyj_b43IW5GMH0JFPAj8DZDYwqHygVqU4fqAvEOmh0LCWoTt7SFveGdNZvpmZQeRSof4dvwmE7z_kIY2kLSDF9S2p4iUE7ypEUUhl43ZBzmLjmSiPQOio1atgqrNMUfjY/s1600/DSC_6003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh18VPKpeahqxyj_b43IW5GMH0JFPAj8DZDYwqHygVqU4fqAvEOmh0LCWoTt7SFveGdNZvpmZQeRSof4dvwmE7z_kIY2kLSDF9S2p4iUE7ypEUUhl43ZBzmLjmSiPQOio1atgqrNMUfjY/s1600/DSC_6003.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First we had to scrape about 80 mirrors off of the walls in the workout room:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qMjPJNpWYUas14f8jrYm7tb68Rmz5cBejgBEl1xuy_87qeqHVciqjNizPm-APZREgWxOxzC3dqL2ardtHAfyKAU6MeT17YzKGghO2-DBWVjNBYySyc_4hYnpyOSvGauo5z7zaz8L67c/s1600/DSC_6008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qMjPJNpWYUas14f8jrYm7tb68Rmz5cBejgBEl1xuy_87qeqHVciqjNizPm-APZREgWxOxzC3dqL2ardtHAfyKAU6MeT17YzKGghO2-DBWVjNBYySyc_4hYnpyOSvGauo5z7zaz8L67c/s1600/DSC_6008.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we replaced the ceiling tiles with a flat white version, installed some recessed lights and tore down a wall:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiro0-1_KqSHkeWgSDlmIgS9SR958LXbNC2FnQTa1lx42F3uR7F6Vq366bRevIuVf_G9y2UHQvnRizZ38oh_yUWtGGY-VFEQw17yCnLiX20YEr6FHkVkIUznpO7gHqpbvkld78iPeBlRJU/s1600/DSC_6057+(1024x678).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiro0-1_KqSHkeWgSDlmIgS9SR958LXbNC2FnQTa1lx42F3uR7F6Vq366bRevIuVf_G9y2UHQvnRizZ38oh_yUWtGGY-VFEQw17yCnLiX20YEr6FHkVkIUznpO7gHqpbvkld78iPeBlRJU/s1600/DSC_6057+(1024x678).jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we installed cabinets, patched the walls, built a bar and painted:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd07O6pfvgbot3I4Rbn-F0nhI_edbuFmDY7KJ9jigNkxDwJbn_-aryngePNuIr_t84NeMEvvDLf-T9Yhb7nkTiSbdIpq6VyK0tQ71qh8f61TkUEysVkvlRrtp3LiSCslIWJvqZfkXixs/s1600/DSC_6215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd07O6pfvgbot3I4Rbn-F0nhI_edbuFmDY7KJ9jigNkxDwJbn_-aryngePNuIr_t84NeMEvvDLf-T9Yhb7nkTiSbdIpq6VyK0tQ71qh8f61TkUEysVkvlRrtp3LiSCslIWJvqZfkXixs/s1600/DSC_6215.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayi2qEAxrl-T9gk92BTiAXdNP9Ehu_VT0fvIjAnqC820hb6lgQ9U52rP7CtMk5TqavLknPgFCHM0TNOKe_Gjxw8jKFG68Ji7I6lisB-GSbqEBznlYUaSm_CMB_iDhvP2HYKXIY6LfqqY/s1600/DSC_6449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayi2qEAxrl-T9gk92BTiAXdNP9Ehu_VT0fvIjAnqC820hb6lgQ9U52rP7CtMk5TqavLknPgFCHM0TNOKe_Gjxw8jKFG68Ji7I6lisB-GSbqEBznlYUaSm_CMB_iDhvP2HYKXIY6LfqqY/s1600/DSC_6449.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDD1EzBl7z7kX1ObgTp-0MEKy-ZWQww7b6NP3sjwD7RVKpajqn2vgx3gsRyH1JHFb3O6hQnhkXZ1zRncqxhgt8Tdg-mhL4-_qat6dqfT5Xd-zLkfX-CrQI-qtqg675WfRYF-eCmCzE0o/s1600/DSC_6650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDD1EzBl7z7kX1ObgTp-0MEKy-ZWQww7b6NP3sjwD7RVKpajqn2vgx3gsRyH1JHFb3O6hQnhkXZ1zRncqxhgt8Tdg-mhL4-_qat6dqfT5Xd-zLkfX-CrQI-qtqg675WfRYF-eCmCzE0o/s1600/DSC_6650.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then we laid down a wood laminate floor and had countertops installed:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW50WcwGB36dhr6sAJdIX1yW8N19hkEAuwqldK4RiwsgOAUcNFEAuR1E7Fp8_Y9cHgAxvwXkQpIeeYA1eUH-pHfK826iu2s4-NI_m0c4vBKfppYzKfvQ5DsF1vek5QHfPL-utbKSmQgM/s1600/DSC_6830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW50WcwGB36dhr6sAJdIX1yW8N19hkEAuwqldK4RiwsgOAUcNFEAuR1E7Fp8_Y9cHgAxvwXkQpIeeYA1eUH-pHfK826iu2s4-NI_m0c4vBKfppYzKfvQ5DsF1vek5QHfPL-utbKSmQgM/s1600/DSC_6830.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4Sn69_i0g0IIaVpFtGPwCbore-Z0jkXXU9jg8owlgm9WjA0zNIdM92_QMiFPXW44xqagYtIkKEW8gamG56Q5wUrnvUEtKiB_IgbptN1Dt3C4_D45k03RXgWUXxmno4JNWKsawajRFiQ/s1600/DSC_6856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4Sn69_i0g0IIaVpFtGPwCbore-Z0jkXXU9jg8owlgm9WjA0zNIdM92_QMiFPXW44xqagYtIkKEW8gamG56Q5wUrnvUEtKiB_IgbptN1Dt3C4_D45k03RXgWUXxmno4JNWKsawajRFiQ/s1600/DSC_6856.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then came the appliances:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSA1GiIPUp_R57H_EQ9cZXSlqAQ4seAGcVVa2IQPuSbO6-nQG_WD55qESg3C7fbX6wMqo8bDnRpj5cp_iMrNb_c20Db3YZGb_FIa9tiQivYA0jlGo31p5BguUQNq78NGYeJLSS1Lf-Dg/s1600/DSC_6860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSA1GiIPUp_R57H_EQ9cZXSlqAQ4seAGcVVa2IQPuSbO6-nQG_WD55qESg3C7fbX6wMqo8bDnRpj5cp_iMrNb_c20Db3YZGb_FIa9tiQivYA0jlGo31p5BguUQNq78NGYeJLSS1Lf-Dg/s1600/DSC_6860.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the tile backsplash and hand made shelves...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkO8HE_iIoBaQQBuPU9ChULlyss_0g_JGlTSTlI7TZ2AA6xVXE6JulvC_lvRyDVVpHW8QEkpd7vM018bgEVmtYaW72cqO-QIVm5lKoI_1E_V8hq4NICpgS_rZ2mZlUzUR0TpkBz-rLK0/s1600/DSC_7068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkO8HE_iIoBaQQBuPU9ChULlyss_0g_JGlTSTlI7TZ2AA6xVXE6JulvC_lvRyDVVpHW8QEkpd7vM018bgEVmtYaW72cqO-QIVm5lKoI_1E_V8hq4NICpgS_rZ2mZlUzUR0TpkBz-rLK0/s1600/DSC_7068.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We redid the powder room with a new vanity, mirror, light, toilet and a granite tile floor:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HZUhLozv9rI_BFGZUMSieFF-0q3WC691x-bLIu1ItDD814Poao495M55__BmYqk2VH0ob6Bfu5D3_Wl6rdNa5ElioJAePNaq0ZtdgObmza06ZX_PkGqS81aTIOJ8ot70Sn21_fx3e4g/s1600/DSC_8917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HZUhLozv9rI_BFGZUMSieFF-0q3WC691x-bLIu1ItDD814Poao495M55__BmYqk2VH0ob6Bfu5D3_Wl6rdNa5ElioJAePNaq0ZtdgObmza06ZX_PkGqS81aTIOJ8ot70Sn21_fx3e4g/s1600/DSC_8917.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj9ntOZPQf3GW2m8ofxeH9rUoTIHCjMl50g1GP-neCltHNPFNu4dTeS8a_7emzSXKc-1kGOBQpeNj4uS7st5cUKoURUFG6ZQKV2jTnaJ32S1mCL6nb-sslvs2u9-kctBTVUjEyAYTfBI/s1600/DSC_8916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj9ntOZPQf3GW2m8ofxeH9rUoTIHCjMl50g1GP-neCltHNPFNu4dTeS8a_7emzSXKc-1kGOBQpeNj4uS7st5cUKoURUFG6ZQKV2jTnaJ32S1mCL6nb-sslvs2u9-kctBTVUjEyAYTfBI/s1600/DSC_8916.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally we put in the furniture...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2IyxQ76fIH-zCJGaeypx-d3Gl5-Sw2puiEG9ePTvcyAa0WtPidwBCRe8tLrmnrCeptTMVJxNnx-FcFsBdzGMy4QWy_IBba9HX3PqTEq0J-E3ip18pv7xcVv_Pjad9x0-L8qx8Pj7vqk/s1600/DSC_7167+(1024x678).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2IyxQ76fIH-zCJGaeypx-d3Gl5-Sw2puiEG9ePTvcyAa0WtPidwBCRe8tLrmnrCeptTMVJxNnx-FcFsBdzGMy4QWy_IBba9HX3PqTEq0J-E3ip18pv7xcVv_Pjad9x0-L8qx8Pj7vqk/s1600/DSC_7167+(1024x678).jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the big-ass TV</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fIGMVUst_Rho1RsxzWH8kC_kJJJupRuX93an8PISYbArM_iHXU9EDlvYt6sEAD953XuL61-ZK7zDzCKuKco26Y66SdmDLHZzp-n3FYHqWQ3QtEnkqKy5hLPLRqxKkB7ytRwVrR5IQvU/s1600/DSC_7169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fIGMVUst_Rho1RsxzWH8kC_kJJJupRuX93an8PISYbArM_iHXU9EDlvYt6sEAD953XuL61-ZK7zDzCKuKco26Y66SdmDLHZzp-n3FYHqWQ3QtEnkqKy5hLPLRqxKkB7ytRwVrR5IQvU/s1600/DSC_7169.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we put up the bottles and called it done!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85ljKpAJn7933KETDYjMBdECNwSnAWGyFgPSrneyqu3wgzfyGqoySoxpoSRSAYsweeyo9JNHf6Qyjq8havvr4Hd40rmIak3aCstktoE1qJBY0h2P3-62AQehI7Fy7RppMeoUyu9zSpgE/s1600/DSC_7182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85ljKpAJn7933KETDYjMBdECNwSnAWGyFgPSrneyqu3wgzfyGqoySoxpoSRSAYsweeyo9JNHf6Qyjq8havvr4Hd40rmIak3aCstktoE1qJBY0h2P3-62AQehI7Fy7RppMeoUyu9zSpgE/s1600/DSC_7182.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T4Kp-Wc_FxCw3G2VMnmiEkjDi_O_usWIGledI9kEWZCoCxHPylEfk6KxHib_UmbWReWtzxFHlo3CEBzhWaeLlV7z3lAt1CxAC1_3UNvT-z1qQy7n2NjTkK2VYw6nr-c7UN0Fd6F0sJA/s1600/DSC_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T4Kp-Wc_FxCw3G2VMnmiEkjDi_O_usWIGledI9kEWZCoCxHPylEfk6KxHib_UmbWReWtzxFHlo3CEBzhWaeLlV7z3lAt1CxAC1_3UNvT-z1qQy7n2NjTkK2VYw6nr-c7UN0Fd6F0sJA/s1600/DSC_7170.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It took us four months of nights and weekends to accomplish this whole job, but the work was well worth it. We finished the bar just in time for our annual Christmas Party, and we were so proud to show it off. We've made a few small changes since we did the original build, but that will be the topic of a future post. Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-52673409430754502612014-07-08T10:04:00.002-04:002014-07-08T10:04:43.371-04:00Happy 5th birthday!Dearest Kayla,<br />
<br />
It's hard to believe that another birthday has come and gone. This year has flown by - it's been a fun filled one. You're now a teddy bear at school and looking forward to starting Kindergarten in the fall. We've been to Disney world and the beach. You love swimming in our pool and playing with Mackenzie. Last night was your first in your big new bed - an exciting transition. <br />
<br />
You love to make art projects and crafts, you still love puzzles and watching shows on Disney Junior. Although some things seem the same day to day, I see so many changes in you. I look at you sitting in your booster in the back seat of the car and I'm amazed that you are so much more little girl now than baby. You have long legs and are chatty like me, but your smile still reminds me of your daddy. You have so much spunk, attitude and curiosity. You want to know everything there is to know about the world and everything else around you. I love teaching you and it thrills me that you still love to read books and snuggle. <br />
<br />
You bring so much joy to our world, little one. I look forward to your Frozen themed birthday party this weekend and celebrating everything you. I hope someday you know all the love that we have for you and how special you are. <br />
<br />
Happy birthday, little angel. <br />
<br />
Love always,<br />
<br />
Mommy and Daddy Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-69839761659643180732013-12-30T20:25:00.001-05:002013-12-30T20:25:23.648-05:002013: The Year in Review At the end of last year, I knew that this year was going to be a big one for us. I never could have imagined how some of the things that happened would play out, but 2013 was an amazing year for our little family. <br />
<br />
In January I took some passport photos. My little Diva couldn't help herself. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ieHzgN4ckok6eXt5DimyjT-je3RaTdXC74NF0vtLg2hhhiTNO7jKQ65Y6023qLWlXzAjTM1-4GInT3KPAdKp1nWbeAlIfyLadeg161g3hm8QpnWj4VkL55SQGoWvZPRHp8I21OGtSKA/s1600/DSC_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ieHzgN4ckok6eXt5DimyjT-je3RaTdXC74NF0vtLg2hhhiTNO7jKQ65Y6023qLWlXzAjTM1-4GInT3KPAdKp1nWbeAlIfyLadeg161g3hm8QpnWj4VkL55SQGoWvZPRHp8I21OGtSKA/s320/DSC_4591.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In February, I got a promotion at work that was beyond what I could have expected to be offered. We start making plans for the rest of the year, take Kayla to the Hands on House for the first time, celebrate Shaun's birthday and Valentine's Day as a family. </div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o6VUshmwYOnc6ikzIy5Oegy051sEbBFsYV76fkCBU31uwwvs5fntu23_EVNaN0FzE2a6o5HTdie5-AWb8I9Z32v1V4qEeiyLwyvb1gV_iVEY_nw1qbC_XoXJCbwsO2mb_JSh_Rqb6-w/s1600/DSC_4611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o6VUshmwYOnc6ikzIy5Oegy051sEbBFsYV76fkCBU31uwwvs5fntu23_EVNaN0FzE2a6o5HTdie5-AWb8I9Z32v1V4qEeiyLwyvb1gV_iVEY_nw1qbC_XoXJCbwsO2mb_JSh_Rqb6-w/s320/DSC_4611.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
March brought us Easter, and the annual egg hunt. Kayla did an amazing job running out and gathering eggs all by herself. By the end of the month, we are in talks with a realtor to get our townhouse on the market.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gCyO60_9rIn2UD7k1amu2nHeoUQv1eXhvNQ2Ob31AFKHWbbwZJ1wU_qe2miR8YWbpCnDpzEqetOSlYGKXQh0X6YXWV9N1-URg_Y-xEJIjsDKYYtJxI0bbtcY9sNKokTYFqCc7R660Vw/s1600/DSC_4825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gCyO60_9rIn2UD7k1amu2nHeoUQv1eXhvNQ2Ob31AFKHWbbwZJ1wU_qe2miR8YWbpCnDpzEqetOSlYGKXQh0X6YXWV9N1-URg_Y-xEJIjsDKYYtJxI0bbtcY9sNKokTYFqCc7R660Vw/s320/DSC_4825.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By the start of April, we have a sign in the yard and are going to open houses and other showings on at least a weekly basis. We put an offer on (and don't get) a house we like in a development we love. We push on with resolve to wait until we no longer have to put in a sale-contingent offer. We try to be patient, but it makes us a little nutty. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI3gN6HsFCkwiAzYMK3hyphenhyphensOxGvWGh711i5z0US3h4RA7udCQZfV3AlSMqE9mvHn6IOBpU-LYne2SIgxTDVvHM2JO2wv9cIYX3eebjyZ7RSVCEhEyT5D7VsEKbbVAkPiEEKALBNE3ete4/s1600/DSC_4953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI3gN6HsFCkwiAzYMK3hyphenhyphensOxGvWGh711i5z0US3h4RA7udCQZfV3AlSMqE9mvHn6IOBpU-LYne2SIgxTDVvHM2JO2wv9cIYX3eebjyZ7RSVCEhEyT5D7VsEKbbVAkPiEEKALBNE3ete4/s320/DSC_4953.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It wasn't far into May that our luck turned around. On my birthday, we received and accepted an offer on the townhouse. By the 11th, we had an accepted offer in on another house in the same development where we missed out the first time. The place was vacant and the owners worked with us to get a quick settlement. This allows us to relax and celebrate the Derby, our annual trip to Dewey and Memorial Day. I do manage to land myself back on crutches while in Dewey, but that's a story for another time...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJZb-bEVqqI4FZn0G76h607ZyBbMKQKdy7Qbx9laNUqfvgoCFDl-CzNzq_oNqxZ23JBcGC-1RFLEE-8XNQCtLHhsOJqCfhlDhUNzjeDjX3KFu7FeZPb_NEnRyR0rHEq-W926bykWMEII/s1600/DSC_5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJZb-bEVqqI4FZn0G76h607ZyBbMKQKdy7Qbx9laNUqfvgoCFDl-CzNzq_oNqxZ23JBcGC-1RFLEE-8XNQCtLHhsOJqCfhlDhUNzjeDjX3KFu7FeZPb_NEnRyR0rHEq-W926bykWMEII/s320/DSC_5278.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
June was a flurry of boxes and newspaper at both the old and new houses. We were fortunate to have lots of help and things went pretty well, all things considered. Kayla and the dog both settled right in to the new place with minimal fuss, and it became home much more quickly than I ever thought. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj2qCvahsTIyaa2OA9zw4qLOj-4su13qTQy2UURbJ8wnNnz91UBsiRpZiX2kWGpCPb0a084TxnLTlbk2SBc56usWpN1KXAt3b53RKkm-QWOC4RFDwhdnL2L0INPiENmQJ9b9EiJZtUl0/s1600/DSC_5976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj2qCvahsTIyaa2OA9zw4qLOj-4su13qTQy2UURbJ8wnNnz91UBsiRpZiX2kWGpCPb0a084TxnLTlbk2SBc56usWpN1KXAt3b53RKkm-QWOC4RFDwhdnL2L0INPiENmQJ9b9EiJZtUl0/s320/DSC_5976.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The beginning of July found us enjoying the gorgeous little island of St. Lucia. After our return home, we celebrated Kayla's fourth birthday. Once again, I'm stunned at how fast it all goes. Kayla goes to the dentist for her first real checkup and does fabulously. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F-NxkPA8m5CevI5UQUCvCPk14Zl2qquOjFOjdsDG8m44m-nDHL_RSu1Z7rtocrJ0sSgh8SrdY0ccJYhk23DZE6WZ08_KSbwpRYVQoRMNXNcPF7D0wUI7dZK_N-WiA7sqCz3jRDGzPUM/s1600/DSC_5800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F-NxkPA8m5CevI5UQUCvCPk14Zl2qquOjFOjdsDG8m44m-nDHL_RSu1Z7rtocrJ0sSgh8SrdY0ccJYhk23DZE6WZ08_KSbwpRYVQoRMNXNcPF7D0wUI7dZK_N-WiA7sqCz3jRDGzPUM/s320/DSC_5800.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thankfully we were able to take August to relax after all the excitement of the previous few months. We enjoy our new pool, take bike rides around the neighborhood and a visit from Aunt Paula. At the end of the month, Shaun and I embark on our biggest DIY project to date. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKT4P_63HzCakxlqEV6hnOOPgRjYzq1ge1QSlB5OIfn2P7QczdAf1yhQUYg8RE7MGA4gjorCNwMFE1xKp_g6KVOyibbJTXf_5TcZKlYCwW53vuRb8udhA-MzYzvseFhY38KUm6L0XL8g/s1600/DSC_6120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKT4P_63HzCakxlqEV6hnOOPgRjYzq1ge1QSlB5OIfn2P7QczdAf1yhQUYg8RE7MGA4gjorCNwMFE1xKp_g6KVOyibbJTXf_5TcZKlYCwW53vuRb8udhA-MzYzvseFhY38KUm6L0XL8g/s320/DSC_6120.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
September came in on a beautiful warm day, and brought us a family gathering for labor day, Kayla's first day as a Teddy Bear at school, and her first try at ballet classes. In between working on our project we enjoy the final throes of summer and then close up the pool. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLjWESQ5GgfLTMSwqop7mGDNeu-dSFtj-qZMirfO7Dpp61O2OPdZmCIXQnvyhnQ0HoQDiHB-7aiSoE1Ay6_32Y3ckKQVrtr3xi0mXv0FPnYLu6TRbaz53h8A5_dfpLZmMvJIQhGgxNfg/s1600/DSC_6229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLjWESQ5GgfLTMSwqop7mGDNeu-dSFtj-qZMirfO7Dpp61O2OPdZmCIXQnvyhnQ0HoQDiHB-7aiSoE1Ay6_32Y3ckKQVrtr3xi0mXv0FPnYLu6TRbaz53h8A5_dfpLZmMvJIQhGgxNfg/s320/DSC_6229.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
October brought pumpkins, leaves and another trick or treat as a black cat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWdPZy1fMwGR_bCEJ2UchrM4Y4e40P1Atn6lqZfZDoMECrokMYGuO7DqOqtFS8xfGWIXb8AK6KZnisYIdWiRI689qc9J-_rVJyrfvMbnYcLEjqTJXuwnzFIrNbXPwr1t2b_vRg-JEIsU/s1600/DSC_6392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWdPZy1fMwGR_bCEJ2UchrM4Y4e40P1Atn6lqZfZDoMECrokMYGuO7DqOqtFS8xfGWIXb8AK6KZnisYIdWiRI689qc9J-_rVJyrfvMbnYcLEjqTJXuwnzFIrNbXPwr1t2b_vRg-JEIsU/s320/DSC_6392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMvJf8_FnxZVxz2SpHiXtHkLTCj7zqpF3u8bT1PljKc-GP3i-pUuvPpLsP-1vHZ-h9XPwFbuMQlHMFHR54bSk12r9JBci1VggjZ_CUb-vk75jdUBlB_4HbjhC2_wtV5rtYOpeejlYdLA/s1600/DSC_6558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMvJf8_FnxZVxz2SpHiXtHkLTCj7zqpF3u8bT1PljKc-GP3i-pUuvPpLsP-1vHZ-h9XPwFbuMQlHMFHR54bSk12r9JBci1VggjZ_CUb-vk75jdUBlB_4HbjhC2_wtV5rtYOpeejlYdLA/s320/DSC_6558.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PbXT9ekpDgdFCHvNc2cWyRS2lZgMQcWsZT9n0E5Q0M6GWWB3amXKYmY_LRDhB09nnG6E0adLHNjPvLLki7fsi6qYhAMMoOLbxGLbkEVehZfTrIHqkv8TParywTHpIVnDqOI5tg7k5Ug/s1600/DSC_6729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PbXT9ekpDgdFCHvNc2cWyRS2lZgMQcWsZT9n0E5Q0M6GWWB3amXKYmY_LRDhB09nnG6E0adLHNjPvLLki7fsi6qYhAMMoOLbxGLbkEVehZfTrIHqkv8TParywTHpIVnDqOI5tg7k5Ug/s320/DSC_6729.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
November gave us more leaves, and lazy days at home. We also all but finished our home improvement project. :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKc5Cko-ymcKR58NnjHA_JoMoyTbrgO_iw6rfUd02sMKUa01mcUDBR4_fjeDO5cOVJtRGLSotcTL9ioLuqvcN-3JIA1WCCvc_yYd3_s1IUEIseFp5qpWt7NE7TulXAiMtnBz65kJRvEY/s1600/DSC_6827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKc5Cko-ymcKR58NnjHA_JoMoyTbrgO_iw6rfUd02sMKUa01mcUDBR4_fjeDO5cOVJtRGLSotcTL9ioLuqvcN-3JIA1WCCvc_yYd3_s1IUEIseFp5qpWt7NE7TulXAiMtnBz65kJRvEY/s320/DSC_6827.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
December we called our basement officially done. We made our annual trip to the tree farm, had an amazing Christmas party, Santa's visit, Kayla's first sledding experience and getting her ears pierced. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1480680_10201582894108914_737193816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1480680_10201582894108914_737193816_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
All in all, 2013 was incredibly good to us, I can only hope that the coming year treats us as well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-44016214290186473112013-10-22T20:42:00.001-04:002013-10-22T20:42:30.970-04:00Our trip to St. LuciaWhile we are on hiatus from posting home improvement projects (we are working on a big one though!) I wanted to make sure I chronicle our trip to St. Lucia. We booked this trip back in October of 2012, not having any idea how things were going to change over the following six months. A promotion for me, putting our house on the market, accepting an offer on that house on my birthday then spending a week or two sweating it out while we worked out details and tried to secure a house we loved that would allow us to not have to move in with family temporarily. We were lucky enough to get a 30-day settlement on this place, so we settled, moved in and two weeks later took off on vacation. Out of the country. With an almost 4-year old. Insanity, right? Maybe so, but it was worth every moment on so many levels. <br />
<br />
For our first time traveling, everything went super smoothly. All of the things that had me worried (airports, security, long flights) were a non-event. TSA really does handle families well, even at 4 AM. Kayla was happy and cooperative and napped on the second (longer) flight on the way down. During the week we ate and drank our fill, enjoyed the lazy river and pools, and had a blast with our friends. Every now and again, Kayla asks me when we're going to go back to St. Lucia. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCLtc8AezE0Unb-vsYCXUElwSagGoYlhWc5ILJXBxLl-KYYlLNbw6k_aywoj2SwBCUODdDbNLD6r7NnH89B87f_FSzcP3tfDdBJDPlZfmwrq6dCT7p1P4vceiFeOrQPWk3zscpKWi-Uk/s1600/DSC_5641+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCLtc8AezE0Unb-vsYCXUElwSagGoYlhWc5ILJXBxLl-KYYlLNbw6k_aywoj2SwBCUODdDbNLD6r7NnH89B87f_FSzcP3tfDdBJDPlZfmwrq6dCT7p1P4vceiFeOrQPWk3zscpKWi-Uk/s320/DSC_5641+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1348663974"></span><span id="goog_1348663975"></span><br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-12483842665160021922013-08-20T17:30:00.000-04:002013-10-22T20:32:34.174-04:00Second Project - Master ClosetThe second project we decided to take on was our master closet. Shaun wanted to move all of his clothing in there to avoid the in and out of the bathroom in the morning, since the closet is attached to the bathroom and not to the bedroom. <br />
<br />
First I had to choose the paint pallet for the master suite. Voila:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi6R66Vi5TK6sjKIw0meyEYqgMDhXgGHynr4D8TahnqV9chNn8I4keMrC4UTeQMB1erJZ6RN6stvIv89VWtklbb2mPJkOTz8lo3Lbs4hSyK3m9Gse1gzvmO7sMv6atEO0tzVBocc6D_g/s1600/DSC_6076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi6R66Vi5TK6sjKIw0meyEYqgMDhXgGHynr4D8TahnqV9chNn8I4keMrC4UTeQMB1erJZ6RN6stvIv89VWtklbb2mPJkOTz8lo3Lbs4hSyK3m9Gse1gzvmO7sMv6atEO0tzVBocc6D_g/s320/DSC_6076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
From left to right (all Behr paint) Heavy Cream (ceilings and trim), Natural Grey (closet), French Court (bedroom - subject to change, this might be too dark) and Minted Lemon (bathroom). It may not be super creative, but I like it and I think it suits us well. <br />
<br />
So, from there we started with this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOsa6FPq2YlQHqvZNDp0xT8tJ-NTEcgz-HwZc-aE0Rdn1E5uhDfmd7KLBobCfr6BDspkBJjDJwk2j0ZA-gM6a3XdhGswSPMbs12Bk332D6yA2HW0SwCkoNVu-30b9g4XnUGIVM1l9bnY/s1600/DSC_5873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOsa6FPq2YlQHqvZNDp0xT8tJ-NTEcgz-HwZc-aE0Rdn1E5uhDfmd7KLBobCfr6BDspkBJjDJwk2j0ZA-gM6a3XdhGswSPMbs12Bk332D6yA2HW0SwCkoNVu-30b9g4XnUGIVM1l9bnY/s320/DSC_5873.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQBagOOn7aGwDVOrCzpc09aEp6UOjRAvd_OohrGGDx3H-Pm43VUB_ndIRKFML8kG-Nbhfixs0KUeAcFmUW5cAIShcX_pM63ZT8LSesdqJpEciAU6zhyphenhyphenb-5dZ4bVDvRNiSlpZhx1YQ-bU/s1600/DSC_5874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQBagOOn7aGwDVOrCzpc09aEp6UOjRAvd_OohrGGDx3H-Pm43VUB_ndIRKFML8kG-Nbhfixs0KUeAcFmUW5cAIShcX_pM63ZT8LSesdqJpEciAU6zhyphenhyphenb-5dZ4bVDvRNiSlpZhx1YQ-bU/s320/DSC_5874.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It worked well enough, but needed sprucing up. There was a lot of wall damage...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgZWV3cXjW_fGnZEBB3TE1USikgoO_Nr1QbwajXf3PN32-9s4Y5TY2A2TgIgSUUQQxn4Qgc2rFr2cr542YHI8PjmTsrC7YdP34MbQs2WkdyotObv2RnUXKj4ARJ9sd7qgrb-yY4RZWqM/s1600/DSC_5875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgZWV3cXjW_fGnZEBB3TE1USikgoO_Nr1QbwajXf3PN32-9s4Y5TY2A2TgIgSUUQQxn4Qgc2rFr2cr542YHI8PjmTsrC7YdP34MbQs2WkdyotObv2RnUXKj4ARJ9sd7qgrb-yY4RZWqM/s320/DSC_5875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz36Evhegd86yVedaV05gPAV4CzyeGyeTlMjEtYxU9cv9OKQOgF74krZeARmvBs8dATGFs4H2gLwlP4SOQGKyHNn_Gcpwwf_zBsJiuE72sh5HIlOm8tJIm5wrTalXSXHI1IpPnGw_BKYk/s1600/DSC_5877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz36Evhegd86yVedaV05gPAV4CzyeGyeTlMjEtYxU9cv9OKQOgF74krZeARmvBs8dATGFs4H2gLwlP4SOQGKyHNn_Gcpwwf_zBsJiuE72sh5HIlOm8tJIm5wrTalXSXHI1IpPnGw_BKYk/s320/DSC_5877.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And some of the storage solutions just didn't work for us. I can't stand over the door shoe racks, for example. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OeIMHg_xeIaDMmNx8mrCIkXYTuHGskP_-FDJPP4Xbj6EZT_RCLt1Lggw16_j7zwVScI9K-7xwUmhw-Cmtqn_sxLxSOzx3L7NLSO5S0O1hNeFuQKaRHvHHEnIzkdwEhIHhtJOf7p_cmE/s1600/DSC_5878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OeIMHg_xeIaDMmNx8mrCIkXYTuHGskP_-FDJPP4Xbj6EZT_RCLt1Lggw16_j7zwVScI9K-7xwUmhw-Cmtqn_sxLxSOzx3L7NLSO5S0O1hNeFuQKaRHvHHEnIzkdwEhIHhtJOf7p_cmE/s320/DSC_5878.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we took everything out, patched, painted, installed Closetmaid Impressions storage on both sides, added a new light, a stool for putting shoes/socks on (and a mirror, which wasn't up yet when I took these) and some 5 1/4" trim around the new shelving, and now we have this:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOah3a_v0lkHHpoS7EEznTLd08M7kgueJQTRIYE8pRho_YOw4CvtMS1R7lLgj_h3vPA8GAjgat-Gl9GJHcWt5ECkwkMPOSTU-eTgnsorOyiG7KUPlM3I1C5xpUIdPUXY6U7-3Vt6Mx3Q/s1600/DSC_5987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOah3a_v0lkHHpoS7EEznTLd08M7kgueJQTRIYE8pRho_YOw4CvtMS1R7lLgj_h3vPA8GAjgat-Gl9GJHcWt5ECkwkMPOSTU-eTgnsorOyiG7KUPlM3I1C5xpUIdPUXY6U7-3Vt6Mx3Q/s320/DSC_5987.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2veBrZysqH4O5GpUQ_h9aGbXg4bOIs8DAHzORS4sMQHN7aUPaefaJGrlmTibiFK2fhxrcxs3YpQpmPVi_IPfbZwnpDAMKr2c401USuZhobY9iHGQPdiEM_UEqBhoniVl8iPFcSW_qOLg/s1600/DSC_5982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2veBrZysqH4O5GpUQ_h9aGbXg4bOIs8DAHzORS4sMQHN7aUPaefaJGrlmTibiFK2fhxrcxs3YpQpmPVi_IPfbZwnpDAMKr2c401USuZhobY9iHGQPdiEM_UEqBhoniVl8iPFcSW_qOLg/s320/DSC_5982.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4Nk-VaJYWldfgqPTayeL6k-YGE4TMFl-OfjY2zLZ81pfJnYaUTw92wJ-Unct1_ONh4LkAczH7NNwE6NC7oRVtda-TupZt2n2xdnUfjz5fEfqO0tiTbi59r3gGjWhLnZkzroP9KksplA/s1600/DSC_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4Nk-VaJYWldfgqPTayeL6k-YGE4TMFl-OfjY2zLZ81pfJnYaUTw92wJ-Unct1_ONh4LkAczH7NNwE6NC7oRVtda-TupZt2n2xdnUfjz5fEfqO0tiTbi59r3gGjWhLnZkzroP9KksplA/s320/DSC_5983.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwb-5YA5j6JOnk8JG90aHWpCw-VSHlf4H6hwfZ6FS48iWAix3wOfQbewY3q73FfWkA6HutMLNtguIjIR54jwIGGiDwtgU_5dypLo3sjW-NkthaD24AeKggq4lnP11T1SydengJthV5t8/s1600/DSC_5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwb-5YA5j6JOnk8JG90aHWpCw-VSHlf4H6hwfZ6FS48iWAix3wOfQbewY3q73FfWkA6HutMLNtguIjIR54jwIGGiDwtgU_5dypLo3sjW-NkthaD24AeKggq4lnP11T1SydengJthV5t8/s320/DSC_5985.JPG" width="211" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l7wTSPiQjCjPRz6-qf-yjDsrXGxpOHPBAqXB8QnCEDyeT3VodFMscvx4o1OiqSkHDUrLs-y4uJM_wppq2bsy0bBsS8Qu_S_8ao26LC5t-agZPwn6Dvs7xvGppYGabk-IpnCLzW3Xf0I/s1600/DSC_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l7wTSPiQjCjPRz6-qf-yjDsrXGxpOHPBAqXB8QnCEDyeT3VodFMscvx4o1OiqSkHDUrLs-y4uJM_wppq2bsy0bBsS8Qu_S_8ao26LC5t-agZPwn6Dvs7xvGppYGabk-IpnCLzW3Xf0I/s320/DSC_5986.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now we have an organized, functional space for clothing and shoe storage, as well as dressing. I'm very happy with how this one turned out. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-24216009557998876462013-08-19T21:28:00.002-04:002013-10-22T20:33:16.842-04:00First Project - Pool OpeningThe outside of this house has been a challenge. A year of neglect aside from lawn mowing left us with half dead shrubs, a laurel that was swallowing the pool pump and air conditioning condenser whole and three foot high thistles everywhere. Thanks to a lot of elbow grease and a lot of weed killer donated by my in laws, we came home from St. Lucia to a yard that was cleaned up and ready for pool opening. <br />
<br />
Then the pool looked like this. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTMQhegLrd8OqyS178rQnq4fkVpTNACI3k0CFoX3u3BnHiFJmwKL0Byagd9yUP7oVYNXOcBGtDPYixkwOr-_aEFY7cCVJHxYK4Y2YO1lQwnT-s9f8tStllPBoYP1AeiZ9sn-BnRAz_4k/s1600/DSC_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTMQhegLrd8OqyS178rQnq4fkVpTNACI3k0CFoX3u3BnHiFJmwKL0Byagd9yUP7oVYNXOcBGtDPYixkwOr-_aEFY7cCVJHxYK4Y2YO1lQwnT-s9f8tStllPBoYP1AeiZ9sn-BnRAz_4k/s320/DSC_5767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not pretty. Approximately 3 days and a gazillion dollars in chemicals later, it looked like this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1044385_10200490865328877_616625906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://sphotos-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1044385_10200490865328877_616625906_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Only slightly better. Finally we called in a second pro to help us out, and we ended up draining at least 1/3 of it. Finally now, it looks like this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4yEu8Ja34e_jnxAbcZxno9c7iP0ulh5BMK4tOlqp9LSVBXhV6Cj2oHRFY_5jiRH6weJ1uNep_11-JcJbw76X1xYsrxIkX9x9R4r6CcmpL2ZfXOP3v_jsWAAEjtPhA4q2BbTdrh91dYA/s1600/DSC_6082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4yEu8Ja34e_jnxAbcZxno9c7iP0ulh5BMK4tOlqp9LSVBXhV6Cj2oHRFY_5jiRH6weJ1uNep_11-JcJbw76X1xYsrxIkX9x9R4r6CcmpL2ZfXOP3v_jsWAAEjtPhA4q2BbTdrh91dYA/s320/DSC_6082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As much of a PITA as it was, we really do enjoy it... now if we could just get one more good heat wave before it's time to close up... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-78384218031848720142013-08-14T21:26:00.001-04:002013-08-14T21:39:28.757-04:00The Before Tour part TwoSo let's continue upstairs, shall we?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zNjzslkpQugzP1-9O6cWNKX21mryl3rZI9bUF4AtTL9vAZxqnuFcmJKfr2FOiXhGDD516NMzuR3e7YCBlwWYgxOM8UmW1BDgnsHTqp5Za2AUUHQim4Z2txrGBY_dptyCZv3-MIbawk4/s1600/DSC_6058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zNjzslkpQugzP1-9O6cWNKX21mryl3rZI9bUF4AtTL9vAZxqnuFcmJKfr2FOiXhGDD516NMzuR3e7YCBlwWYgxOM8UmW1BDgnsHTqp5Za2AUUHQim4Z2txrGBY_dptyCZv3-MIbawk4/s320/DSC_6058.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the first things you come to is this funky little closet. We still haven't decided exactly what to do with this, but for now it's where we store all of our spare cleaning supplies.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbLMBPu70iCsMSpYaM0xgpSgtlVA9e1aFClkRwOnHiXem_X4zVDazbS3-6XmikhDw3XGBVbd9TewT-GdpDB5DNpmRBIpI5kTLkrB0xiLVsKzQ5VDvxMPx5uPZgpD-xTWLhtvdd5Mm5Y4/s1600/DSC_6059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbLMBPu70iCsMSpYaM0xgpSgtlVA9e1aFClkRwOnHiXem_X4zVDazbS3-6XmikhDw3XGBVbd9TewT-GdpDB5DNpmRBIpI5kTLkrB0xiLVsKzQ5VDvxMPx5uPZgpD-xTWLhtvdd5Mm5Y4/s320/DSC_6059.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Across the hall is the laundry area with linen closet. This room doesn't need much - a coat of paint and eventually a matching washer/dryer pair. We left ours behind at the last house, so we're using what was left behind here. In an ideal world, when we're ready to buy new ones we would also have the gas company out to run a gas line up here for the dryer. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdqZTRGhZlvOCigqf8WMKUoyVI-2lbYTDtQefNWk69dBsd6dmOBiXrNqc5YPOwLpfQuaoBTl79MHuN1I2OtHUBwM2MCFtTjwicqqFoOTVBDIWL40o3ZbcMOrBVhOulZ2XNDfBpzgR41o/s1600/DSC_6061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdqZTRGhZlvOCigqf8WMKUoyVI-2lbYTDtQefNWk69dBsd6dmOBiXrNqc5YPOwLpfQuaoBTl79MHuN1I2OtHUBwM2MCFtTjwicqqFoOTVBDIWL40o3ZbcMOrBVhOulZ2XNDfBpzgR41o/s320/DSC_6061.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just past the laundry room is the "bonus room" above the garage, which is Kayla's room. Everything she owns is currently packed into here; in the future that will change. Plans for this room include a fresh coat of paint and some carpet. Perhaps we'll also remove the heavy bag hanger from the ceiling... once I am certain that MMA isn't in her future, of course. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfxhJ72QKKwiJeuMjOI70L4nAkAuBfQkTlpC_GUqJM35rzmWP4-CQHcU06bbS_ePzshUzZfEZQz8MEnRt6WZ-_ge93OLQZgVH5-IGlQVtLgtMJ3hSxJ5mh4DQE4fUf4y76or6vpwtwtg/s1600/DSC_6062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfxhJ72QKKwiJeuMjOI70L4nAkAuBfQkTlpC_GUqJM35rzmWP4-CQHcU06bbS_ePzshUzZfEZQz8MEnRt6WZ-_ge93OLQZgVH5-IGlQVtLgtMJ3hSxJ5mh4DQE4fUf4y76or6vpwtwtg/s320/DSC_6062.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5KPYT2bHMuzemq-BfY51Ld1WeY4gcyL0fxnBOpg3FnJZaEzZ84DFvQVWhpXzzOb-ISo-TEn9Ncv54nMABEZOiEZk1IRIpj2z5SXkeOqfyw9pjgV1ULLalPSiFnx-T3xI0hhHY2ifZ9s/s1600/DSC_6064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5KPYT2bHMuzemq-BfY51Ld1WeY4gcyL0fxnBOpg3FnJZaEzZ84DFvQVWhpXzzOb-ISo-TEn9Ncv54nMABEZOiEZk1IRIpj2z5SXkeOqfyw9pjgV1ULLalPSiFnx-T3xI0hhHY2ifZ9s/s320/DSC_6064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now back the other way to the remainder of the stairs (anyone else find it weird that we live in a split level, but it's the second floor that is the split level? No, just me? OK, moving on then...).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC3LgSnL6AVKsP7gmq2cjMhXF7XUdvytIQcj92deyI6-yRwpFMOFhesgvJQwmweKpLJ-sPidWHNAFERDJRyrXlL-DQqPf36s7bi9OOjFL2ZfE0axSD1pY-SQxNzWsNnwhHfkwgUClRV4/s1600/DSC_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC3LgSnL6AVKsP7gmq2cjMhXF7XUdvytIQcj92deyI6-yRwpFMOFhesgvJQwmweKpLJ-sPidWHNAFERDJRyrXlL-DQqPf36s7bi9OOjFL2ZfE0axSD1pY-SQxNzWsNnwhHfkwgUClRV4/s320/DSC_6066.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kayla's bathroom... this room needs some serious help. The linoleum is badly yellowed, there are holes in the tub that are repaired with silicone, and there are some other pretty bad holes in the walls. For now it is fully functional though, and so long as she has her ducky shower curtain, she is happy. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K74FDEZaCCgAkNQLpZcf4binR1KH_e0OSjwvbVnRCaN4zVitYCO4MhL3yiiYvmbju1XPsDVAjHhhaAYEWMoEX2bVaC99fe8tqGXUxHfpKiGPGaNHwj1NacOksgjauPxwfjBszn0YIGA/s1600/DSC_6067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K74FDEZaCCgAkNQLpZcf4binR1KH_e0OSjwvbVnRCaN4zVitYCO4MhL3yiiYvmbju1XPsDVAjHhhaAYEWMoEX2bVaC99fe8tqGXUxHfpKiGPGaNHwj1NacOksgjauPxwfjBszn0YIGA/s320/DSC_6067.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh025Z8TBy5f-lw1TL3h5YYCkHeoxdIpTNjGWooSW5EXA2VTA4rliTcVnyhyphenhypheneZBpqZ5UlgsZXXzl4lwDdUqjElkKt9sU2x9S_IdbStPrXJnhY9u25tf8qfpZDtw_n9tZ8rRwBJ-Dfgpl5A/s1600/DSC_6069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh025Z8TBy5f-lw1TL3h5YYCkHeoxdIpTNjGWooSW5EXA2VTA4rliTcVnyhyphenhypheneZBpqZ5UlgsZXXzl4lwDdUqjElkKt9sU2x9S_IdbStPrXJnhY9u25tf8qfpZDtw_n9tZ8rRwBJ-Dfgpl5A/s320/DSC_6069.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spare bedroom number one, in bright fuchsia complete with chalkboard paint wall. Eventually this room will probably be a multi-purpose room with some of Kayla's toys, and I hope to use it as a bit of a studio space for some photography pursuits... after a coat of paint, of course. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMQYE0sfQpiPBzgEAVNWbepC6-_wSWPEgIJfZpIuVx-90D3doYFJjmihbaQAZOBffpoVY1dBqz2Y0OswC5UIW87CfufgLypRHrT-bxLYqt1kctHrj8Gd_MpXBtA3q8IrCcrEl-b7fyBc/s1600/DSC_6070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMQYE0sfQpiPBzgEAVNWbepC6-_wSWPEgIJfZpIuVx-90D3doYFJjmihbaQAZOBffpoVY1dBqz2Y0OswC5UIW87CfufgLypRHrT-bxLYqt1kctHrj8Gd_MpXBtA3q8IrCcrEl-b7fyBc/s320/DSC_6070.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spare bedroom number two, in "sexy pink" (I kid you not, that is what it is called). This room also has a chalkboard wall, and a collapsing windowsill that needs some attention. This room will eventually be our guest room. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFbK5CLtbwtznN8ohsMdfrpUo1QHt1edFkBlP6TI1uRccSS4_ZUMM7wNiwtWUBndEdTBqjiwaJNJ6lz2dKjSQFOxutz2YllTj33Y-q1IJrLuqrCYrhTCZ3t-4aBDK1p4w3eYanpR0JmY/s1600/DSC_6072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFbK5CLtbwtznN8ohsMdfrpUo1QHt1edFkBlP6TI1uRccSS4_ZUMM7wNiwtWUBndEdTBqjiwaJNJ6lz2dKjSQFOxutz2YllTj33Y-q1IJrLuqrCYrhTCZ3t-4aBDK1p4w3eYanpR0JmY/s320/DSC_6072.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In order to turn this into a guest room, first we need to deal with this:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsOdJfd5Y8-ugxBXn_zvTW2GSwztDmpp-mJdePR2HrFgaEEcEBo05zoHksZqLDYhunoCKtffZ57Sszcny8SZpWW0vQ2hNUdSTiCHQxj50BkInvjkIzqsnvXesWiK63Id3FwKZ0UaR-S4/s1600/DSC_6077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsOdJfd5Y8-ugxBXn_zvTW2GSwztDmpp-mJdePR2HrFgaEEcEBo05zoHksZqLDYhunoCKtffZ57Sszcny8SZpWW0vQ2hNUdSTiCHQxj50BkInvjkIzqsnvXesWiK63Id3FwKZ0UaR-S4/s320/DSC_6077.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVd6kUzF1pJ7q1w3Dlxu5gETVHSD3wZmu0zp-bmMIQfoJdHHKQQE87x5GstY52p7dqcnyAc3WgVwJ2y4ew5rqT-mVw__LUcUxEIILzkSjGqX5JPH3gWnXRLWMo5ItTxpPREx4lJ3_aVc/s1600/DSC_6078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVd6kUzF1pJ7q1w3Dlxu5gETVHSD3wZmu0zp-bmMIQfoJdHHKQQE87x5GstY52p7dqcnyAc3WgVwJ2y4ew5rqT-mVw__LUcUxEIILzkSjGqX5JPH3gWnXRLWMo5ItTxpPREx4lJ3_aVc/s320/DSC_6078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It may be maroon, but at least they got rid of the blue/green carpet that used to be in here. That would have been too much to take. Kind of like Pepto pink walls... oh.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ__NL1TdfGgdsoP5tWy6W82ZuZsjHon_Hlw-zLkFknaMy__Lwe3Xu-SpWMNVrEhBh4drI9Pu1htVGDV31TL8MRUVhKpWxTtHnGMGwmAo7DdCWbM0ny9H_FhjU-EcvdPkvUvWxRrJXgbQ/s1600/DSC_6080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ__NL1TdfGgdsoP5tWy6W82ZuZsjHon_Hlw-zLkFknaMy__Lwe3Xu-SpWMNVrEhBh4drI9Pu1htVGDV31TL8MRUVhKpWxTtHnGMGwmAo7DdCWbM0ny9H_FhjU-EcvdPkvUvWxRrJXgbQ/s320/DSC_6080.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoUGwN16DKwIXZolYt-Aks8nkEHhv5qwq29S9K90mIZePAQMaTFplhwYFNwTSE_6TztZENWMsHNXk7GwHgQTtepMVZiJC-UHmaTUt8IdlS0JZVyUGsVoyl8IlzVSbHKzHjimuOk117a4/s1600/DSC_6081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoUGwN16DKwIXZolYt-Aks8nkEHhv5qwq29S9K90mIZePAQMaTFplhwYFNwTSE_6TztZENWMsHNXk7GwHgQTtepMVZiJC-UHmaTUt8IdlS0JZVyUGsVoyl8IlzVSbHKzHjimuOk117a4/s320/DSC_6081.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love this bathroom. Honestly, I do. I wish the shower was a bit bigger, but I love the gigantic tub and that we have plenty of room in our vanity for all of our stuff. The color leaves me feeling a little dizzy as well, but that's an easy fix.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the other side of the bathroom is our master closet... that was our first big project though, and the subject of a future post. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_99474786"></span><span id="goog_99474787"></span> </div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-73485795695535009772013-08-08T18:02:00.002-04:002013-08-08T18:05:28.905-04:00Before Tour Part OneSo here it is... the house that has become home, despite all of my initial misgivings. <br />
<br />
You'll notice that the front shot in yesterday's post is taken from sort of an odd angle. Well, that's because from across the street, this is what you see:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhJ8CPxbUA2cyMViGyFxzwDif55CF_MmfuNw0TsMgaq9nO88Ef41ejBEcTuVzp8Kr4RcZoE5kGOn1hKvVZjBf4Zz6-bQi_00EPpcW_9ybmR53fFqmvBLii8vkvjJfS3mkWhXhW5setQA/s1600/DSC_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhJ8CPxbUA2cyMViGyFxzwDif55CF_MmfuNw0TsMgaq9nO88Ef41ejBEcTuVzp8Kr4RcZoE5kGOn1hKvVZjBf4Zz6-bQi_00EPpcW_9ybmR53fFqmvBLii8vkvjJfS3mkWhXhW5setQA/s320/DSC_5972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Between the crepe myrtle and the cherry tree, the front is a bit hard to <br />
distinguish, which is a shame. The crepe myrtle will likely stay, but we home to take the cherry tree down sometime next year. Hiding behind all of that is a rather inviting front porch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrPlF5bENjVr3Zo_FE504ZDufjx29NeOFmA5rtnLXCHXsIaAZ8ppeQRmOrtzKT5KwcSztGMiYd8AFRlZCvtx7fIyKbZz22M_Z2n_OtCSgu03R6jGrZwbDHXVtsT7rR_0pqpNf7oeqE9E/s1600/DSC_5977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrPlF5bENjVr3Zo_FE504ZDufjx29NeOFmA5rtnLXCHXsIaAZ8ppeQRmOrtzKT5KwcSztGMiYd8AFRlZCvtx7fIyKbZz22M_Z2n_OtCSgu03R6jGrZwbDHXVtsT7rR_0pqpNf7oeqE9E/s320/DSC_5977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that, my friends, is where the charm ends. Well, almost. Right inside the front door, you will find the formal living room. </div>
<div align="left" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6dcq-YCF-8IIzTeCWucI8mYwcXHumSwEBZp5CEE6knROIydjC6rEgHr9ZYAIOG9Y9FRzuUmhyphenhyphenS4ZLXscE2CASb-ABmtClT_3LHOO0sO6mhe7dPqZkY2S_hw8XQuIJ320C_9F8laZjr8/s1600/DSC_6036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6dcq-YCF-8IIzTeCWucI8mYwcXHumSwEBZp5CEE6knROIydjC6rEgHr9ZYAIOG9Y9FRzuUmhyphenhyphenS4ZLXscE2CASb-ABmtClT_3LHOO0sO6mhe7dPqZkY2S_hw8XQuIJ320C_9F8laZjr8/s320/DSC_6036.JPG" width="209" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2id3xtEwtNDmP9Pw8SHEuQVUf60dCvHkBgB0EK-Kx7ECOqgReu066hlk2bxuPEvcqxlyZMKvvjtHEcQ8huc4FD0Npn3nv-rdrfhSZDeTSRCoLZS-dmrD2ApS5VM0mSPHuP3A5NiEfilo/s1600/DSC_6037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2id3xtEwtNDmP9Pw8SHEuQVUf60dCvHkBgB0EK-Kx7ECOqgReu066hlk2bxuPEvcqxlyZMKvvjtHEcQ8huc4FD0Npn3nv-rdrfhSZDeTSRCoLZS-dmrD2ApS5VM0mSPHuP3A5NiEfilo/s320/DSC_6037.JPG" width="209" /></a><span id="goog_893477003"></span><span id="goog_893477004"></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Less than desirable laminate floors aside, this room is a blank slate and the room that probably needs the least work. We hope to turn this into a formal dining room. On the other side of the entryway is...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIgS5Q-I1J4pgr4-V5U7RBP3Jxq6svPh-6bCsS_PErWxr9Fxrbve_WTqueRtbdWS0axIIxuAPT_QZRCi0fSgDIUrs-wDyU-Ki3Mb7DaJRsGBO_roLY3jXK3o4Hd5Zqz95hS-1QpR1h7k/s1600/DSC_6038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIgS5Q-I1J4pgr4-V5U7RBP3Jxq6svPh-6bCsS_PErWxr9Fxrbve_WTqueRtbdWS0axIIxuAPT_QZRCi0fSgDIUrs-wDyU-Ki3Mb7DaJRsGBO_roLY3jXK3o4Hd5Zqz95hS-1QpR1h7k/s320/DSC_6038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The ugliest wallpaper you've ever seen. Seriously, these people had an unhealthy obsession with borders. The wallpaper below doesn't help the cause any. This room is smaller than our formal living room, so we'll likely keep the small table in there and use it as our everyday eating spot. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHxzpx-y93NQLFdOC3RuGcwc3kmYw6hlBZxR8VBC02f4rQvFzR5rYoKG4Lq0NLAtBndG-QdwZENlQ-ATeWFlg2AiX_7gYvH7Wl3eF5YG_KisPeVzje6xifPmn0EGG0ulL1pgcFCDrYzA/s1600/DSC_6039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHxzpx-y93NQLFdOC3RuGcwc3kmYw6hlBZxR8VBC02f4rQvFzR5rYoKG4Lq0NLAtBndG-QdwZENlQ-ATeWFlg2AiX_7gYvH7Wl3eF5YG_KisPeVzje6xifPmn0EGG0ulL1pgcFCDrYzA/s320/DSC_6039.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Through the doorway is the kitchen. Not so bad, right?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZdUG0ZEO03JGOzHp3D7MO6WzqDWnuAId3IMDltPvm7Q72XD9KlYl2YKtI6i4nhilUhAVt_WpR5F2x0h7w3AsWMfd0KeqcPROM3WiFmjWCpM9svkYn-Iov81bUUL0AQh2eOBbSLSlCwE/s1600/DSC_6040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZdUG0ZEO03JGOzHp3D7MO6WzqDWnuAId3IMDltPvm7Q72XD9KlYl2YKtI6i4nhilUhAVt_WpR5F2x0h7w3AsWMfd0KeqcPROM3WiFmjWCpM9svkYn-Iov81bUUL0AQh2eOBbSLSlCwE/s320/DSC_6040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, those are blue laminate countertops that are supposed to resemble marble. With white cabinets. And black appliances. Oh, and the knobs on the cabinets?? Those are brass. Hot. I didn't even take any close-ups of the poorly done textured ceiling they put up to hide the remnants of a leak upstairs. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht57ji8alLxGgm8eDVpA-mR1DyD7gZhkCyjg4zPcomevA-gIZxb5jom_TAF041PWV_DdY3jw5vlghdb5yL9jrX0w7kv5Gnj8sV-81rcWpmCuICcyNvM8ycnb6ynSmoyKJnnQmzjr8GlhU/s1600/DSC_6041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht57ji8alLxGgm8eDVpA-mR1DyD7gZhkCyjg4zPcomevA-gIZxb5jom_TAF041PWV_DdY3jw5vlghdb5yL9jrX0w7kv5Gnj8sV-81rcWpmCuICcyNvM8ycnb6ynSmoyKJnnQmzjr8GlhU/s320/DSC_6041.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The far end of the kitchen has a little space for a breakfast nook, which we will likely take over with an extension of the cabinets and countertop when we get around to redoing this room. That space leads into the family room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_f0-pb9MHb0W6kBZJqOH0NPcpUo08QCGNSrflTInzLGe4WB6lmM30DkBIPoyGt1XL5NkhICsYCsrB3-hkdUJOtYsfxP3ko4-c_uIYH8_qmPiIFsybglEnUOI8aLLVltkrYftUHC8-pg/s1600/DSC_6047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_f0-pb9MHb0W6kBZJqOH0NPcpUo08QCGNSrflTInzLGe4WB6lmM30DkBIPoyGt1XL5NkhICsYCsrB3-hkdUJOtYsfxP3ko4-c_uIYH8_qmPiIFsybglEnUOI8aLLVltkrYftUHC8-pg/s320/DSC_6047.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Why yes, those are yellow-cream and shit-brown walls. Thanks for noticing. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeyIMqnZThmdbcPrDx1K6nFq6Yj9Bh1Es1v1QymSBqxp00YBwjBTSdyOmZ-OCuZ1tCAHbmpZ-Dufkfm59fuxSCbM3dauh7NTtyDbtYkbW4Ru3vX6TY5HNfqbpcl0HEwTzTMISzKE_668/s1600/DSC_6045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeyIMqnZThmdbcPrDx1K6nFq6Yj9Bh1Es1v1QymSBqxp00YBwjBTSdyOmZ-OCuZ1tCAHbmpZ-Dufkfm59fuxSCbM3dauh7NTtyDbtYkbW4Ru3vX6TY5HNfqbpcl0HEwTzTMISzKE_668/s320/DSC_6045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At least the fireplace is nice. Notice there are no close ups of those walls. I'd fill a memory card with pictures of the holes left behind. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjb7U-p14X_cV2NJb9FQspIq65mzcntMuvML_wxnKTIiLeeZIaV73JCC4Xq-0G2wr0xgw4wvEEsDnnmM5kE9O9EuHydRmem5Oj0mPTojxmjzIqj-eb1OErHDEWgqDCrEWshGhGIj8TeU/s1600/DSC_6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjb7U-p14X_cV2NJb9FQspIq65mzcntMuvML_wxnKTIiLeeZIaV73JCC4Xq-0G2wr0xgw4wvEEsDnnmM5kE9O9EuHydRmem5Oj0mPTojxmjzIqj-eb1OErHDEWgqDCrEWshGhGIj8TeU/s320/DSC_6046.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The final stop on our main room tour is the powder room. Aside from the formal living room, this is probably the least objectionable room on the main floor of the house. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCGQxWyK4w2v7WE0GqnuvaJjvTtC-AOeYTC3fLAUCC1gvzemxga8Gi6KzXsAnhqLcinTDUEDml2Z7Uiy_GwFUk1Lr6H2Y6N6FnC74K1P4HK4IJ1kGoNV1pM50KfTW03d-S2_5PwoMD1o/s1600/DSC_6049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCGQxWyK4w2v7WE0GqnuvaJjvTtC-AOeYTC3fLAUCC1gvzemxga8Gi6KzXsAnhqLcinTDUEDml2Z7Uiy_GwFUk1Lr6H2Y6N6FnC74K1P4HK4IJ1kGoNV1pM50KfTW03d-S2_5PwoMD1o/s320/DSC_6049.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2fVJW_7ptEIWH18mUsPrfgc54tUXNvgN7RUOLYwp40i3H9xcxW2mM09SRXoW3-66xmV0kDWI_pRNYEPp5q63mtz0Rc4DXV3lyHgWKzbj6Leh_1JANnLVzWyYUtKsqw9rSFnFAfAXz7Q/s1600/DSC_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2fVJW_7ptEIWH18mUsPrfgc54tUXNvgN7RUOLYwp40i3H9xcxW2mM09SRXoW3-66xmV0kDWI_pRNYEPp5q63mtz0Rc4DXV3lyHgWKzbj6Leh_1JANnLVzWyYUtKsqw9rSFnFAfAXz7Q/s320/DSC_6051.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
Except for the wallpaper border. *shudder*</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_755900434"></span><span id="goog_755900435"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnKMMMbWstZEVAhkWGR8SZWue1dawn9hmjQhrg8b7zM1lgzUb-ujwGVkcG-IqI0K7v0Aabj1PCCFMC8P8n6oGLcwGLOD0Lh0eKT5UV37BoZAMzDgAIdlPbChiiA6g-Vk5DXZlk2Fi-Dk/s1600/DSC_6050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnKMMMbWstZEVAhkWGR8SZWue1dawn9hmjQhrg8b7zM1lgzUb-ujwGVkcG-IqI0K7v0Aabj1PCCFMC8P8n6oGLcwGLOD0Lh0eKT5UV37BoZAMzDgAIdlPbChiiA6g-Vk5DXZlk2Fi-Dk/s320/DSC_6050.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Posts to come... the before tour part two, and a lesson on how to destroy drywall by moving out of a house. </div>
<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCGQxWyK4w2v7WE0GqnuvaJjvTtC-AOeYTC3fLAUCC1gvzemxga8Gi6KzXsAnhqLcinTDUEDml2Z7Uiy_GwFUk1Lr6H2Y6N6FnC74K1P4HK4IJ1kGoNV1pM50KfTW03d-S2_5PwoMD1o/s320/DSC_6049.JPG" style="left: 105px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 3784px;" width="63" />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-87006221396222561262013-08-05T20:55:00.001-04:002013-08-05T20:55:44.785-04:00Time for a direction changeSo during my absence from blogging, I have been doing a lot of thinking. As much as I love the way this blog began and as much as I still enjoy using it to chronicle the goings on with Kayla, it's just not enough to keep me at my keyboard any more. I am still going to blog about the family as time goes on, but I am going to switch the focus from Kayla's milestones to what's happening with our new home. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzwzt5cXny_rE2D36U9WoT_NZNz_fDvctigkIlKun1vyaMg-tR4A2KyWmkZr8tmKxMBZ4PQ5ki9xU5dvrvfURiirsRYAyVp7F7TY7iKiMNys9EmhlVOxYYmo2ir6889lStTdFC890IRw/s1600/DSC_5976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzwzt5cXny_rE2D36U9WoT_NZNz_fDvctigkIlKun1vyaMg-tR4A2KyWmkZr8tmKxMBZ4PQ5ki9xU5dvrvfURiirsRYAyVp7F7TY7iKiMNys9EmhlVOxYYmo2ir6889lStTdFC890IRw/s320/DSC_5976.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Right before we went to Saint Lucia at the end of June, we settled on this lovely little piece of the coolest small town in America. I'll be honest, while I loved the location of this place, that was about all I loved when I first saw it. It had been unoccupied for nearly a year, and it showed. The previous owners also had very interesting taste... so I had a hard time imagining ourselves in it at first. But after our townhouse went under contract on my birthday, we had no choice but to find a place - and fast. This one, while it needed work, fit the bill quite nicely. It's large enough that we no longer feel on top of one another all the time, and has a nice fenced-in yard for the dog, complete with pool for the people; that's caused me almost as much heartache as it has joy, but I am glad that we have it. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I love that we can make it our own over the next few years. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Often while we're working on something, I find myself going "gee, I should blog about this..." so that's what I'm going to do. Don't worry, I'm still going to write about Kayla (especially as we hurtle through the next year toward kindergarten) and the other happenings with our little clan, but a lot of what you'll see on here in the future will be what's happening inside the house - so still Outside Looking In. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next post... the "before tour." </div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-54744920222207482222013-07-07T21:43:00.000-04:002013-08-05T20:58:13.052-04:00Happy Fourth Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO54uIpKEA99n_14eC4tDkpkknv4IT_U7CT7yj_Ht0bwXjP3fXPBZ_N9uVMEYgorZn2S_HyoAsnsmO5brtMBvZLcLrPciBjPGP2CuUKMkQuAXOMgo7M5i_kHDhH-7XiDg7ViG7gK-iBLY/s1600/DSC_5841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO54uIpKEA99n_14eC4tDkpkknv4IT_U7CT7yj_Ht0bwXjP3fXPBZ_N9uVMEYgorZn2S_HyoAsnsmO5brtMBvZLcLrPciBjPGP2CuUKMkQuAXOMgo7M5i_kHDhH-7XiDg7ViG7gK-iBLY/s320/DSC_5841.JPG" width="204" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Dear Kayla -<br />
<br />
Here we are yet again, another birthday in the books. We just got home from your first international trip - a fantastic week in St. Lucia; it was the perfect culmination to your 4th year. <br />
<br />
You continue to develop into a sweet but demanding young lady. You challenge me every single day, but those moments where you demand snuggles make it all worthwhile. I have to admit that it scares me a little bit to think about how much like me you are. <br />
<br />
I look forward to every day with you, watching you learn and grow and try new things. These days mean so much to me and I can't wait to see what the coming days hold. <br />
<br />
Love Always - <br />
<br />
MommyKelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-6519427523980181632013-01-08T15:59:00.001-05:002013-01-08T15:59:32.344-05:00New Year, Same Old Story<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Yeah, so… that about sums it up. Busy, busy, busy. I know I owe you Halloween onward PLUS the year in review post… but 4.0 nine-credit semesters don’t come easy. Throw in holidays, going back to the gym and trying to fend off the winter germs… That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-59536176707490505462012-10-01T16:23:00.001-04:002012-10-04T20:16:39.193-04:00I'm alive... promise<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t believe I actually allowed things to lapse for almost 3 months here. In my defense, we did have a really busy summer… or at least I did. I tidied up 12 credits during July and August, and only to an 11 day breather before the Fall semester (another 9 credits) started. I did get my Dean’s List certificate for the 2012 academic year – my first one ever if you can believe it. The countdown is on. I register for my final semester in 28 days; I am just 7 months (give or take) from finally being done. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent a few days at the beach with my in-laws in September; the weather was beautiful and we got to relax a little for those few days. Kayla was in absolute heaven – playing in the sand, jumping in the waves, flying her kite and walking on the boardwalk. She’s a little beach bum, just like us. I loved our annual beach vacation when I was little, and I’m glad that she loves it now too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2VDxBWySUyh8Y2qVVGGqNOMrh0bRc3noFR76CSw0LMkYAlW0XIB_r-tISj4bgIM-2gfiSWDFBpPBhrEslp01skhvSMOB9kNse305jgs2BNMCzpDW0vQsLxq3XG0ySEPCekq0lTZFE9I/s1600/DSC_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2VDxBWySUyh8Y2qVVGGqNOMrh0bRc3noFR76CSw0LMkYAlW0XIB_r-tISj4bgIM-2gfiSWDFBpPBhrEslp01skhvSMOB9kNse305jgs2BNMCzpDW0vQsLxq3XG0ySEPCekq0lTZFE9I/s320/DSC_3410.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started a new job about 3 weeks ago. The jury is still out on how the future is going to shape up, but for right now I’m not super happy about it. Hopefully I’ll have a better report once I’m fully into the routine of this department, but for now I’m actually missing crawling through basements and labeling boxes. Who knew?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kayla is doing exceptionally well, as usual. She’s really enjoying being a Pooh Bear at school – back in the same classroom as her pals Paige and Lydia. Huzzah! She seems to love it there; her being able to tell me so makes it that much easier for me. I wish I could spend more time with her, but that will come with the Holidays and the expenditure of the rest of my PTO. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFg7G_dlWp5Sqbv43wXH43FHWyZuHKQg9w9Ww5JOogUseKI0LyEzfa2sMc-_V3jFiyTO1mNglnIFem-VPswXEU1zB53bnUC9PjiSTwVNETODheO-IAFhSUEFkXTNu2G6lvNWYylrHr1w/s1600/DSC_3241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFg7G_dlWp5Sqbv43wXH43FHWyZuHKQg9w9Ww5JOogUseKI0LyEzfa2sMc-_V3jFiyTO1mNglnIFem-VPswXEU1zB53bnUC9PjiSTwVNETODheO-IAFhSUEFkXTNu2G6lvNWYylrHr1w/s320/DSC_3241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So for now, we are all alive and well, just tangled up in the day to day. My brain needs exercise beyond reading about the history of Medical Insurance though, so I hope to be back soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-60396456100025174922012-07-08T21:19:00.003-04:002012-07-08T21:19:28.488-04:00Happy Third Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74fEiDDHkhnX5KisvFR0DgQQetb4yw3HiAsQX1HdXlbPyyOqbsH5F7bqvBarzKJu4ilkF4nDEwwHpy6F4exdyP3y_Yv4mWU5xAHNs1gePHJ7XXF_JVsVX02ztGfVEhSBe4ycpMeCmGl8/s1600/DSC_2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74fEiDDHkhnX5KisvFR0DgQQetb4yw3HiAsQX1HdXlbPyyOqbsH5F7bqvBarzKJu4ilkF4nDEwwHpy6F4exdyP3y_Yv4mWU5xAHNs1gePHJ7XXF_JVsVX02ztGfVEhSBe4ycpMeCmGl8/s320/DSC_2689.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Dearest little Kayla - <br />
<br />
Here we are again, one day out from another fabulous birthday. Once again I get to sit back and think about how far we've come in a year and smile. You are so sweet and loving. You are imaginative, smart and funny. Most of all you are now 100% potty trained. :-) I am so proud of you; I can't even begin to tell you about my favorite moments. There are far too many of them. <br />
<br />
You love to tell jokes, sing to yourself, and imitate things you've heard us say. You are a champion bedtime staller; just one more story or one more song... again and again. You love to color, draw, do puzzles and read books. You navigate the iPod completely on your own but insist on saying "about" when you mean "without." You love your puppy dog and playing outside. <br />
<br />
We had a whirlwind birthday week off... shopping for your party, having lunch with Grandma, your first fireworks and a trip to the aquarium. So many fun things to do! We also had to deal with the business of your doctor appointment. You're now 37" and 30 pounds - still growing right on track! We were also happy to hear that your heart murmur has resolved itself. <br />
<br />
Your party was a smashing success - our family and some of your friends all came together to celebrate. Triple digit temperatures weren't enough to stop us from having a great time. <br />
<br />
Thank you for everything, sweet angel. These have been the best and fastest 3 years ever. I look forward to what this year brings. <br />
<br />
Love alaways - <br />
<br />
~Mommy<br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-78415793179057649382012-06-11T21:24:00.001-04:002012-06-11T21:25:08.422-04:00Victories and DefeatsI came home from work today smiling with the knowledge that Kayla was doing a fantastic job on her first day in big girl panties. <br />
<br />
I came home from our HOA meeting with tears and extra hugs, because I know a mother who is hugging her sweet little fighter for the last time. <br />
<br />
I was hoping to write more, but nothing seems to come out right. RIP little Sophie. In your short time with us you were an inspiration and you will be missed.Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-18128694883973909172012-04-30T21:19:00.003-04:002012-04-30T21:19:09.902-04:00Sick Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKqBPgpl9whntDaOPZSeRy3MCP5xjAw5A6XrKUV0s3rn3RnXqr_aGWPauFva7_XxjXLPiKzAc5OdtgXypXD9SL6bS_Lo8FDU47I21FosGrB4PbBWba0RmXWW7UNcbTt8uq-MVYcHq_EQ/s1600/DSC_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKqBPgpl9whntDaOPZSeRy3MCP5xjAw5A6XrKUV0s3rn3RnXqr_aGWPauFva7_XxjXLPiKzAc5OdtgXypXD9SL6bS_Lo8FDU47I21FosGrB4PbBWba0RmXWW7UNcbTt8uq-MVYcHq_EQ/s320/DSC_1242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Poor little dear had a stomach bug today. Sweet little dog didn't leave her side. <br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-146074143191803752012-04-26T08:51:00.001-04:002012-04-26T08:51:35.715-04:00More creeping crud<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Another wave of illnesses has struck our house. After Kayla’s 5 day unexplained fever came pink eye for me and a stomach bug for Shaun. Good times here people. I still haven’t met my cousin’s adorable baby girl and the wait is KILLING me. She’s going to be crawling by the time I get to see her at this rate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In happier news, my spring class is winding down and my schedule is all set for the summer and fall. I’m a little behind where I’d hoped to be, but looks like May 17<sup>th</sup>, 2013 is the graduation date. Well, technically it will be the 10<sup>th</sup> (or whenever I finish my exams) because I really have zero interest in walking at graduation. It’s going to be crazy between now and then, with 1 class that requires on campus labs for Summer I, two classes that require on campus exams for the Fall, and the fact that Summer I and II overlap, so for about 6 weeks, I will be taking 4 classes at once. I will be so glad when this is over.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-79686554626931429752012-04-01T20:19:00.002-04:002012-04-01T20:19:32.208-04:00So a month has come and goneAnd I'm still slacking off without the benefit of having my knee to blame. Over the last month, there were several more weeks of PT, a trip to the Strasburg RR, a St. Patty's day party and my first sunburn of the season, being relased from PT, a trip to Newark, DE for some fun with friends AND a puppy. All that on top of the wife/mom/employee/student thing... makes for a busy month. Our laptop is currently out of commission as well, so separating myself from the herd to write more than my required discussion questions for school is tough. I'm going to try to get both blogs updated soon (plus add a few recipes to the cooking blog) and hopefully get back on track.Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-84517541712530561622012-02-29T09:46:00.001-05:002012-02-29T09:46:18.844-05:00Time is shorter but my knee is better<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I’m happy to report that I’m walking very nearly like a normal human being again. I still need to take stairs like a toddler to avoid pain, but I’m able to move around fairly well, although slowly. I owe my physical therapist a huge debt of gratitude; he’s understanding and kind and has really helped me feel better and stronger, even though I still don’t trust my knee 100%. I’m getting there though. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In the meantime, I am cramming just about everything else I can into my non-working hours. My late-start spring class began last week and I’m now 3 chapters in to Human Resources Management. I have an awful lot of thoughts about that (most of them relating to my current situation) but it’s probably best if I just cram it for now. Saturday is my day at Nikon School, which I am super thrilled about – I haven’t really picked the camera up as much since I got hurt, and I hate that. Last night I was trying to capture a particular shot I wanted for Shaun, and I tried to go to my knees without thinking… ouch. I can’t wait until my knee is no longer hampering my ability to shoot. I’ve only put 200 or so shutter actuations on the D5100, and the weather is slowly getting better. I’m aching for some more practice and a chance to really “get to know” the new camera. It shoots a little bit differently than the D40 did, so I’m still messing with it so I get the desired results every time. SO looking forward to having our trip to the Strasburg RR to work on some things! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And so, the cycle continues… work, school, home and once in a while fun. The circle of life, right? <o:p></o:p></p></div>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-23298192652855888352012-02-20T19:50:00.002-05:002012-02-20T19:50:12.975-05:00Clearly my PT has a sense of humor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycov4vY-bVmHxAblvZGz4s_X_GD_lfJo2cP51IFy5acjLeMekPrTOcq8pP6qtTuloG6dB3gwQujwQsy54-_FSuU8pm7GGItDM5DRP426WuobOlpN1vY0QLxnygQKZ35z-Pw2rPSVtnIo/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycov4vY-bVmHxAblvZGz4s_X_GD_lfJo2cP51IFy5acjLeMekPrTOcq8pP6qtTuloG6dB3gwQujwQsy54-_FSuU8pm7GGItDM5DRP426WuobOlpN1vY0QLxnygQKZ35z-Pw2rPSVtnIo/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-83591557444863765872012-02-13T09:40:00.001-05:002012-02-13T09:40:19.887-05:00Mea Culpa<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Funny how quickly I fell off that 30 day challenge bandwagon, eh? Well, last Thursday I attempted to write out my post about something I feel strongly about in a Vicodin induced haze on my iPod and failed miserably. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everything kind of fell apart when I dislocated (we think anyway – still waiting to hear from the doctor about my MRI results) my knee last Thursday morning. I’ve been in a fair amount of pain and trying to get around as best I can in my gimpy state. Hopefully it will get better soon. The 30-day challenge will resume when I’m able to walk again. <o:p></o:p></p></div>Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-19425400387422110502012-02-08T18:07:00.002-05:002012-02-08T18:07:49.125-05:0030 Day Challenge - Day 1Five ways to win my heart:<br />
<br />
1. Find "our song."<br />
2. Tell me I look pretty and mean it. <br />
3. Do something that I want to do, even if you hate it. <br />
4. Remember my favorites. Bust one out once in a while.<br />
5. Random acts of romance.Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127234002967022059.post-23800361006580712152012-02-08T18:04:00.001-05:002012-02-09T11:30:10.212-05:0030 Day Blogging ChallengeSince my 30 day photo challenge did wonders for my photography blog, I decided I needed to do a 30 day challenge here as well to exercise those creative writing itches I've been having as well. It's going to get tough in a couple of weeks since I actually managed to pick up a late semester class (YAY for using my brain) but I'm going to try anyway. After all, from now until whenever I actually manage to finish, it's always going to be something.<br />
<br />
SO - thus I begin my 30 day challenge. Here's the list:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_V1ySeliVCDaITMnKqmb6hpSx8PFP4PkInIMPH_F6sA2i6Feg0dFbHnnA0ii1K3gxlq_zOa6DG6G9SFgOV_aa0NNmJbm72BWishDb4JVHXmQmqzaHDvhsaI31WTm5Hs4SaO5w006OH0/s1600/30+Day+Blog+Challenge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; umargin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_V1ySeliVCDaITMnKqmb6hpSx8PFP4PkInIMPH_F6sA2i6Feg0dFbHnnA0ii1K3gxlq_zOa6DG6G9SFgOV_aa0NNmJbm72BWishDb4JVHXmQmqzaHDvhsaI31WTm5Hs4SaO5w006OH0/s320/30+Day+Blog+Challenge.jpeg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404145458729417637noreply@blogger.com0